Sound and light show at Wat Mahathat / Daytime in Mahathat
After our 10 days Angkor and Kanchanaburi trip, the group of 14 became 5. This is an extension was on cost-sharing basis. Two left from Sukhothai for Chieng Mei and returned a few days later than the rest.18 Nov 2002 Mon - After breakfast at the hotel, we said our goodbyes to those going home and proceeded by Sky Train (MRT) to the Northern Bus Station. Sukhothai is 450km from Bangkok and was the capital of the first Thai kingdom, circa 13-14th century. We arrived smack at the end of the week-long Loi Kratong festival. Accomodation was a problem but we managed to get some rooms at marked-up rates. At night, we went by public buses to the Sukhothai Historial Park, which had huge crowds enjoying the Loi Kratong festivities. ON Sukhothai.
Tue - We had breakfast in the town market before going back to the Sukhothai Historical Park to participate in the final and best day of the festival. There were literally a hundred different food and sovenier stalls dotting the complex. There was also host of programs including an extremely long procession of people dressed in traditional and olden days style. This went on till late in the evening when we bought tickets for the sound and light show, held in the midst of the Wat Mahathat. Sukhothai is one of Thailand's three UNESCO listed heritage sites and encompassed an area of 45 sq kms. ON Sukhothai
Loi Kratong procession / Dance competitors in Sukhothai
Wed - We bussed southwards to Ayuthaya, which is located just 86 km north of Bangkok. We arrived early afternoon and had a little time to rent a bicycle and visit a few of the temples in Ayuthaya Historical Park. This is also another UNESCO heritage site and was the royal capital from 1350 to 1767. Thirty-three kings of various Siamese dynasties reigned in Ayuthaya. ON Ayuthaya.
Thu - With our rented bicycles, we continued with our tour of the huge Historical Park, picking on a few more prominent places. We checked out by noon, lunched and then boarded the 230pm train to Bangkok. At night we went eating and shopping at MBK - Mah Boon Krong shopping center. Later at night, it was off to see Patpong and Bangkok's infamous night-life. ON Bangkok.
Fri - We left Bangkok on the 12am flight to KL.
Most photographed Buddha in Thailand / Sleeping Buddha Ayuthaya
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